Corvallis Oregon Visitors Beur

Seaside city manager reviewing convention center expansion

SEASIDE - An estimated $28 million proposal to expand the Seaside Civic and Convention Center by 30,000-square-feet is now under review by Seaside City Manager Mark Winstanley.

"It will take a few weeks before my review is complete," said Winstanley who is reviewing a request for proposal for a financial study that could be undertaken as the next step in the process towards enlarging the building at 415 1st Ave.

Russ Vandenberg, general manager of the convention center and Seaside Visitors Bureau, said the city review is necessary to help identify funding sources for the project.

City officials said they won't ask voters for funds to expand the center.

Vandenberg suggested that the convention center could be deemed a vertical evacuation center during a tsunami and that might qualify the expansion for federal funds.

Supporters of the expansion believe it would help boost the Seaside economy by attracting new events, and new business, opening jobs and help fill restaurants, retail shops and lodging establishments.

"The consultants are estimating that we would increase our economic impact by 40 percent with the expansion," Vandenberg said. "We would go from $40 million annually to $65 million annually."

The Seaside Civic and Convention Center opened in 1972. In 1978, city officials approved an expansion of the lobby and foyer and added the balcony area in 1986. The largest upgrade was the addition of 22,000 square feet to create the Necanicum Room and the upper level rooms in 1991.

The bond on the last expansion project was retired a year ago.

The current convention center site covers 62,000 square feet including 22,000 square feet for meeting space, a 10,500 square foot Pacific Room, the Nacanicum Room and 14 break out rooms that provide an additional 6,820 feet.

Discussions about enlarging the convention center began in 2008 after Vandenberg and others began looking for ways to increase the convention and event business brought into Seaside. A key reason behind expanding the convention center is to make it more competitive. Vandenberg said in 2010, they turned 100 conventions and other gatherings away because of restrictions.

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